Paper Football

Paper football (also called Tabletop football or Flick football) refers to a table-top game, loosely based on American football, in which a sheet of paper folded into a small triangle is slid back and forth across a table top by two opponents. A long, narrow rectangular table resembling at least somewhat the shape of a football field is needed for satisfactory results. The principal object of the game is to slide the paper football using the thumb and forefinger of one hand in a motion similar to that used in shooting marbles so as to come to rest with part of it extending off of the end of the table adjacent to the opponent. There are many variations of how to "throw" the ball, such as flicking it with an index finger only, or sliding it by using two fingers, which is easier. This successful shot is a "touchdown" and worth six points. In most versions of the game the opponent must then form his fingers into the shape of goalposts, and the player who has just scored the touchdown is then given the opportunity to hold the football on one point vertically at his end of the table and flick it toward the goalposts. If it passes between the opponent's outstretched fingers it is considered a "good" extra point. Or the player can opt for a 2-Point Conversion rather than try for an extra point. On a 2-Point Conversion attempt the player places the ball at mid-field amd flicks it in an attept to have it stick part way over the edge of the table as in a touchdown, if so it is worth 2 points. Either way, the game continues.

The rules recognized at all official Paper Football League (PFL) Tournaments:

Rules for Paper Football League events are designed to provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in balanced and fair competition. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times.

What's needed: an official Paper Football League ball constructed along the illustrated guidelines which are located at http://www.paperfootballleague.com, a dry flat table in which the two players sit on opposite sides, and optional safety glasses.

Game Length: Decide beforehand either: a) the first player who scores a pre-determined number of points wins, or b) the game is timed and the player with the most points when the clock runs down is the winner.

1. Flip a coin to determine which player will choose whether to Kick or Receive.

2. The game is started by "Kicking Off" in the following manner - The Kicker holds the football in his hand resting in the palm, from his end of the table he uses an upward swinging motion and tosses the football into the air (releasing it from his own end of the table, no reaching across) and onto his opponents side of the field. Where the ball lands is where play for the opponent will begin.

3. Opponents take turns sliding the PFL ball back and forth across a table top between the two opponents using your fingers in either a "flicking motion" with the index/middle finger or with a single "bump" with two fingers, one flick per turn. An extended pushing of the ball is against the rules, the ball is placed back to its original location and the offending player loses his turn.

4. "Touchdowns" count when after flicking (or Kicking Off) the football it stops with part of it sticking over the edge of the table. A Touchdown can be confirmed by moving a flat item such as a ruler across the end of the table to determine if any part is sticking over the edge.

5. A flicked (or Kicked Off) ball which fails to reach the far end of the table without partially resting on or falling over the edge allows the opponent to receive possession and make his own flicked shot from where the ball is resting. Players alternate shots until one scores a Touchdown or the paper football is knocked completely off of the table known as an "Out of Bounds" (see #9).

6. If a Touchdown is scored the scoring player is given the opportunity to try for either an "Extra Point" or a "2-Point Conversion".

7. Extra Point: the scoring player holds the football on one point vertically under a fingertip at approximately 3 inches from the edge of the table closest to him and flicks (kicks) it with the other hand toward "Goalposts" which are made by the opponent on the opposite side of the table. Goalposts are formed by resting the wrists of both hands on the edge of the table with thumbs fingers joined at the ends and index fingers sticking straight up. If the PFL football passes between the opponent's upward pointing index fingers and any distance above the thumbs (imagine lines extending up from the index fingers to form the vertical limits) it is considered a good Extra Point. If not, the game continues with a Kick Off from the scoring player.

8. 2-Point Conversion: if the scoring player decides to try for a 2-Point Conversion rather than kick for an Extra Point after scoring a Touchdown, the ball is placed in the middle of the table (this approximates the 50 yard line on the field) and is given only one flick or bump to try to have the ball stop with part of it sticking over the edge of the table as in a Touchdown. If part of the ball is sticking over the table than 2 points are scored, if not than no 2-Point Conversion points are scored. Either way, the game than continues with a Kick Off from the player who scored the Touchdown.

9. If the ball is flicked or Kicked Off and goes entirely off of the edge of the table is considered "Out of Bounds". That counts as one instance of Out of Bounds. If a player is credited with three Out of Bounds violations his opponent is allowed an opportunity to kick through the Goalposts for a "Fieldgoal" (which employs the same method as described above for Extra Points after Touchdowns) which is worth 3 points. Each series of three Out of Bounds allows for the opponent to attempt a Fieldgoal. If the player has not yet accumulated a series of three Out of Bounds the opponent simply Kicks Off as described above when beginning the game, and the ball is in play again.

10. In the event of a tie score at the conclusion of fixed time limit game, a "Tie-Breaker" takes place. In a Tie-Breaker each player is allowed 10 consecutive attempts to score from the middle of the table (this is the same procedure as a 2-Point Conversion) and the player with the most number of successful Tie-Breaker shots is the winner. If the two players are still tied after their 10 Tie-Breaker attempts they will each have 10 more shots to determine a winner. This will continue until one player is determined the winner.

Warning: Do not flick the ball at other players eyes, you may cause injury and possibly blind them! Safety glasses are highly recommended during Paper Football League Bowl Games for your protection.